Nursing (BSN)

Description

The McAuley School of Nursing is committed to graduating culturally competent, caring nursing practitioners who have the ability to meet society’s rapidly evolving health care needs with a strong focus on nursing in the community. It seeks to develop students who will have the competencies to provide contemporary clinical care, make critical decisions within an ethical framework, communicate effectively, utilize leadership and management skills, and design and coordinate health promotion, risk reduction, and illness and disease management strategies for clients, families and communities. To function competently in this capacity requires an education that is value-based and promotes spiritual, social, and psychological growth of the learner.

The nursing curriculum builds upon a foundation of liberal arts and sciences and strives to encourage critical thinking. In addition, the mission of the McAuley School of Nursing is to prepare skilled baccalaureate and master’s level nurses who are committed to provide high quality, culturally competent cost-effective health care services to individuals, families and communities. Congruent with the University’s mission, the program focuses on providing nursing care to the underserved in an urban context. The McAuley School of Nursing offers a baccalaureate degree in nursing to both pre-licensure and registered nurse students with a special accelerated option for students who have a bachelor’s degree in another discipline. In addition, in partnership with Aquinas College and Saint Mary's Health Care in Grand Rapids, the McAuley School of Nursing offers the baccalaureate degree in Nursing (BSN). Upon completion of the BSN degree, the student is eligible to apply to take the NCLEX examination to practice as a registered nurse.

Accreditation

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, Master of Science in Nursing degree, and Doctor of Nursing Practice degree at the University of Detroit Mercy, McAuley School of Nursing are fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One Dupont Circle NW Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036. Telephone: (202) 887-6791.

The undergraduate nursing programs are fully approved by the Michigan Board of Nursing.

Academic Standards

Students in the McAuley School of Nursing must attain a minimum grade of “C” or better in all nursing and supportive core courses. In addition, students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 quality points. The academic policies published in the School of Nursing Student Handbook govern academic conduct, progression, withdrawal and dismissal.

The School of Nursing reserves the right to require a student to withdraw from a nursing course or from its program even when the overall grade pointe average is 2.5 or better if, in the judgment of the faculty or dean, the student does not possess the requisite skills, personal integrity, emotional stability and/or social competence to succeed in the nursing program.

Academic Recognition

Membership in Lambda Zeta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International is awarded to outstanding undergraduate nursing students who rank in the upper third of their junior and senior years and have been recommended by faculty and community members of Sigma Theta Tau International.

Graduation Requirements

Candidates for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree must complete a minimum of 129 semester hours. Undergraduate degree requirements include a 2.5 cumulative GPA out of a possible 4.0 and a “C” or better in nursing and supportive core courses. Candidates must complete the University Core Curriculum as well as supportive core and nursing core courses as established by the McAuley School of Nursing.

Admission Criteria

Admission to the MSON is competitive and completion of minimum academic requirements does not guarantee admission to the nursing program. Students are not eligible for admission to the MSON if they have been dismissed from a previous nursing program. Exceptions to this policy can only be made by an appeal to the MSON Academic Progression Committee. In addition, applicants will be considered for admission based on their ability to meet the minimum mental and physical qualifications of the nursing program including the clinical practice requirements for entry into professional nursing practice. Admission to clinical nursing courses is contingent upon submission of documentation verifying a health history and physical examination, evidence of immunizations according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for health care providers, and an approved CPR course within the last year as well as completion of ACE PASSPORT requirements. A criminal background check and urine drug screen are required of all nursing students prior to entering the clinical courses. A positive result from any of the tests may impact a student's ability to complete the program. Students are expected to maintain their own health insurance for illness and injury.

Freshman (Pre-Licensure)

In order to be admitted to the McAuley School of Nursing, applicants need to meet the general entrance requirements of the University. In addition, they should have completed at least four units of English, two units of laboratory science (chemistry and biology), two units of mathematics, and two units of history and/or social science. Applicants must have an overall cumulative GPA of 2.5 and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 in high school mathematics and sciences courses. A minimum score of 21 on the ACT or a score of 1000 on the SAT is required.

Nursing (BSN) Degree Requirements

All students admitted to the Bachelor of Science Nursing program will complete the following dynamic, state-of-the-art curriculum which responds to the most recent IOM report, Future for Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health, as well as Quality and Safety Education for Nurses and The Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice (AACN, 2010). Students will have the opportunity to integrate service and social justice from a Mercy and Jesuit perspective.

Transfer (Pre-Licensure)

Transfer applicants must have a minimum overall cumulative GPA of 2.5; however, a 3.0 or higher will keep you competitive, based upon 30 semester hours of college work and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 in science, math and all prerequisites. All science courses must have been completed within the previous 7 years with grades of C or higher. A minimum composite percentage score of 75 on the HESI (Health Education Systems Inc.) exam is required. Nursing applicants may only complete the HESI twice to achieve a passing score. Applicants should have completed the following prerequisite coursework or their equivalents:

Many other institutions' equivalencies for these courses may be found on the Nursing Transfer Table on the Detroit Mercy website.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Pre-licensure) Requirements:

All transfer-nursing students admitted to the nursing major will pursue the following curriculum. This dynamic, state-of-the-art curriculum responds to the most recent IOM report, Future for Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health, as well as Quality and Safety Education for Nurses and The Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice (AACN, 2010). Students will have the opportunity to integrate service and social justice from a Mercy and Jesuit perspective.

Supportive Core Requirements

Accelerated Second Degree Option

An intensive 16-month program option for students with a previous bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. The accelerated program is designed as an immersion experience. The program requires enrolling in approximately 20 credits a semester, while also completing clinical practice of 16-24 hours each week. A minimum baccalaureate cumulative grade point average of 3.0 is highly recommended, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 in sciences and math courses. All science courses must have been completed within the previous 5 years with grades of C+ or higher. Prior to the start of the program, applicants must complete the following courses or their equivalence:

RN to BSN Degree Completion (BSN) for the Registered Nurse

Effective Fall 2016

This program is designed specifically for licensed registered nurses with an associate or diploma degree to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The program builds on the strengths and competence of the practicing registered nurse. Required nursing coursework is completed in four semesters in both hybrid and online format.

Required Nursing and Supportive Core Courses (30 Credits)

Semester 1

NUR 3251 Transitions into Professional Practice in the Mercy and Jesuit Traditions (3 credits)

Total credit hours of program = 126, 30 credit hours must be taken at University of Detroit Mercy.

46 credit hours are awarded for RN licensure credit.

63 credit hours can be transferred from a community college for a total of 96 credit hours combined from a community college or four-year university.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing in Grand Rapids

The University of Detroit Mercy, Aquinas College and Saint Mary’s Health Care have partnered to bring the University of Detroit Mercy degree to West Michigan.

The curriculum is built upon a foundation of liberal arts and theoretical sciences. Liberal arts/general education and nursing courses will be offered at Aquinas College. The curriculum is equivalent to Detroit Mercy’s. It requires four years of study, including all class work at Aquinas taught by Aquinas and University of Detroit Mercy faculty.Clinical experiences occur throughout West Michigan. Students must complete a minimum of 126 credits for graduation and fulfill all core requirements of the University as identified in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.

University of Detroit Mercy provides 63 credits in all the nursing major and support courses, microbiology, nutrition, pharmacology and pathophysiology. Aquinas provides 63 credits in liberal arts and science courses which have been approved by the University of Detroit Mercy Core Curriculum Committee. Students graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Detroit Mercy.

NUR 4755 Professional Practice from a Mercy and Jesuit Perspective (3 credits)

University Core Curriculum

All undergraduate degree students at University of Detroit Mercy are required to fulfill the objectives of the University's Core Curriculum. The curriculum consists of courses designed to meet objectives which ensure that students received an overall education consistent with the mission of the University. See the Core Curriculum section for more details.

Affiliations

The University of Detroit Mercy - McAuley School of Nursing has collaborative agreements with a variety of health care institutions, medical systems and community agencies. Students are provided with high quality clinical experiences across southeastern and western Michigan.